Cattle Industry Stability Concerns, Corn for Use in Ethanal Increases

Line on Agriculture
The U.S. cattle industry is poised for growth due to incentives in the One Big, Beautiful Bill" and favorable rain conditions. However, concerns arise from the U.S. President's plan to import 300,000 metric tons of beef, which could undermine domestic cattle production and stability.

US ethanol production's corn consumption has risen, with 474.7 million bushels used in July, a 2% increase from June. This highlights a potential strain on the agricultural sector.

Cattle Inventory Up, Placements Down, POTUS Beef Import Plan Critisized

Line on Agriculture
The USDA's August Cattle o Feed report showed a rise in feedlot inventory to over 11.1 million head, up nearly 200,000 from the previous year.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized President Trump's call to increase beef imports, warning it could hinder efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd

R-CALF Farm Bill Priorities

Line on Agriculture
R-CALF USA, led by CEO Bill Bullard, is advocating for specific measures in the farm bill currently under Senate review. Key points include the need to revise a cattle procurement tool that allows meat packers to manipulate prices through unpriced formula contracts, which removes cattle from competitive price discovery markets

New World Screwworm Crosses Border

Line on Agriculture
The first case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in Southern Texas, and the USDA says they are taking aggressive action to prevent further spread.

Beef on Dairy Growing Quickly

Line on Agriculture
The practice of beef on dairy is growing in the industry, with beef sires being used on dairy cows to produce beef calves. This approach enhances feedlot performance and meat quality compared to traditional dairy cattle

A New Take on Burgers and Beer

California Ag Today
A Del Mar brewery and local ranch are working together to transform by-products into high-quality beef.

Analyzing Cattle Depreciation

Line on Agriculture
Buying a high-priced cow means looking at the long term valuation of her life and the depreciation that can occur.

U.S. Cow Herd Hits Smallest Since 1951; Recovery Possible by 2027–28

Line on Agriculture
The US cow herd has experienced seven consecutive years of decline, with the 2025 inventory being less than the previous year, indicating ongoing liquidation. Bill Bullard of R-CALF USA suggests that the trend might reverse slightly in 2026 due to more heifers being retained for breeding, but significant growth may not be seen until 2027 or 2028

WASDE: Elevated Corn Use Strains Feed Supply as Mexican Border Closure Clouds U.S. Cattle Outlook

Line on Agriculture
The USDA's latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report shows elevated numbers amid uncertainty about future demand. One market analyst notes that the U.S. is currently feeding 525 million more bushels of corn than last year, but this is unsustainable due to the Mexican border shutdown.

Catttle Market Protections

Line on Agriculture
The cattle industry is facing a "perfect storm" of high prices, low cattle herd inventory, and external threats like the New World screwworm.

Class Certification Pending in Cattle Collusion Case

Line on Agriculture
R-CALF USA, represented by CEO Bill Boyer, is pursuing a legal case against three major beef packers, alleging collusion to manipulate cattle and beef prices from 2019 to early 2020.

Screw Worm Near Texas: Vigilance Urged

Line on Agriculture
A new case of the New World screw worm was detected near the Texas-Mexico border, raising concerns about its spread. R-CALF USA supports the closure of the U.S. border to Mexican livestock imports to prevent the pest's northward advance

US Cattle Inventories 2% Lower Than 2024

Line on Agriculture
The USDA's latest cattle on feed report indicates a tightening of cattle supplies in the U.S., with inventory levels 2% lower than last year. This is largely due to reduced cattle imports from Mexico, which have been halted due to concerns over foot-and-mouth disease.

Cattle Herd Rebuilding Challenges

Line on Agriculture
Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, discusses the negative impact of misinformation on cattle futures and herd rebuilding efforts.

Part 2: Cattle Group Antitrust Case Complements POTUS' Plan

Line on Agriculture
R-CALF USA is pursuing a private antitrust case against meat packers, supported by credible law firms. This action complements the U.S. government's ongoing investigation into meat packer conduct, initiated during the first Trump administration and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part 1: Cattle Group Supports POTUS Cattle Packer Probe

Line on Agriculture
R-CALF USA highlighted a longstanding issue where cattle prices have not reflected beef prices, with cattle prices falling from 2021 while beef prices hit records.

Cattle Market Sensitivity

Line on Agriculture
The Trump administration's comments on lowering consumer beef prices have caused significant volatility in the cattle markets, according to R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.

Managing Cattle Market Emotions

Line on Agriculture
The emotional impact of cattle market fluctuations on producers, particularly those who sell annually.

USDA Secretary Not Ready to Open US Border to Mexican Cattle

Line on Agriculture
The US and Mexico have not yet resolved the issue of Mexican beef cattle exports to the US due to an outbreak of the New World Screw Worm in Mexico

The Fix Our Forest Act Gains Traction

Line on Agriculture
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has advanced the Fix Our Forests Act, a bipartisan bill led by House Natural Resources Chairman Westerman. The bill, which has previously passed the House, aims to expand grazing as a hazardous fuel mitigation tool and provide systematic support for producers affected by wildfires.